Seattle Weekly

Public Health – Seattle & King County issued the following information July 16 about a national outbreak of Cyclospora, aka explosive diarrhea: A national outbreak of Cyclospora—more commonly known by its main symptom, explosive diarrhea—has cases reported in Michigan, Ohio, New York, and many other states. This appears to be a very large outbreak nationally, but here in King County, we have not seen any unexpected increases in cyclosporiasis (the disease caused by Cyclospora) so far.

Washington voters will get their chance in November to embrace or reject the state’s new income tax on households with earnings greater than a million dollars a year. The Secretary of State’s office certified Initiative 645 on July 15, two weeks after sponsors turned in more than 500,000 signatures on petitions to put the measure on the ballot.

Brent Hall returned to his home turf of Mercer Island to promote the super speedy sport of hydroplane racing at Summer Celebration. On July 11, the former Islander — who currently resides in Bothell — shared his passion for hydroplanes with people as a locally-backed mammoth H1 Unlimited boat was displayed on the street adjacent to Pagliacci Pizza and Mercerdale Park. As a bonus, celebration attendees engaged in a hydroplane racing simulator that was a hit with kids and adults.

The third week of July is when rain may not be enough to keep your perennials and shrubs in good health. Designing a landscape that can survive on rainfall alone is a practical way to cut back on your monthly water bill. In Western Washington we have a flood of interesting trees, shrubs and perennials that do not have drinking problems. Here is some inspiration for an Unthirsty Garden.

When I was a kid in the 1950s, I had an aunt and uncle who got stuck in the past. They were John Birchers who feared that Communists would take over the world. They saw Communists everywhere, especially in the U.S. government. Anyone who expressed opinions that they deemed as liberal were Communists or “Commie pinkos”— not quite Communists, but leaning in that direction.

Washington tribes and environmental organizations sued the federal government Tuesday, arguing that recent changes to Endangered Species Act rules defy scientific research and pave the way for the destruction of important wildlife habitat. The two separate lawsuits, filed in U.S. District Court for Western Washington, challenge the Trump administration’s decision to rescind the legal definition of the word “harm” as used under the Endangered Species Act.

They’re common enough situations — you’re reading/playing board games/doomscrolling at home when a bird flies into your window, or the family cat comes through the door flap with a still-struggling “present” in its jaws. Many people have tried to care for an injured bird, but their wild and skittish nature makes it neigh impossible for (most) people to help them.

Editor’s note: The following was originally published July 9. Apologies if this is too soon, soccer fans, but I’m rooting for Belgium in another showdown this week. On July 6, the same day that Belgium trounced the U.S. in a Seattle World Cup match, the country’s lawyers were dueling with Google, Meta and other online platforms at the European Court of Justice.

The 2nd annual Shark in the Park community festival took place over the weekend in Des Moines, complete with local vendors, educational booths, live music, food trucks and sharks, sharks, sharks. The salty Puget Sound air made for a Jaws-tastic backdrop to the July 12 festival, where Redondo Beach Drive was closed off between Redondo Way South — also known as Sixgill Shark Way — and South 287th Street.

Editor’s note: As in summers past, we’ll be spending time during July and August focusing on the great outdoors: namely, some of the noteworthy campgrounds and trails found in the Evergreen State – and maybe just a few opportunities for a good, long walk. Most of the of the destinations will be within a reasonable driving distance from our part of the Puget Sound region.